Method of removing hose from mandrels



Oct. 24, 1944. c, w GREENE METHOD OF REMOVING HOSE FROM MANDRELS Filed Aug. 7, 1942 M v m l INVENTOR. 6644/9455 W 6255M ATTR/VEY Patented Oct. 24, 1944 METHOD OF REMOVING HOSE FROM Charles W. Greene, Toledo, Ohio. assignor to The Flex-O-Tube ware Company, a corporation of Dela- Application August "I, 1942, Serial No. 454,068

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in manufacturing flexible hose and in particular to an improved method of removing hose from a mandrel.

In the manufacture of flexible hose of the type vulcanized or cured over a mandrel, it is extremely difllcult to remove the hose from the mandrel, particularly when the. hose is manufactured in long lengths and when the hose is reinforced by braided wire or braided cotton fabric. It is not at all unusual to manufacture and vulcanize or cure hose on mandrels in lengths upwards of flfty feet whereupon the removal of the completed hose from the mandrel is a major problem in the manufacture thereof.

The primary object of the instant invention is to provide an improved method of removing flexible hose from a mandrel by first hydraulically breaking the hose from the mandrel and then employing hydraulic pressure to remove the hose from the mandrel.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following'detailed de scription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal view part in section and part in elevation showing a flexible hose manufactured and cured over a two piece mandrel ready for removal therefrom in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the stub end of the mandrel removed.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2 showing was removed clamped in sealed relationship onto a pressure head and the hose broken away from the mandrel by hydraulic pressure applied through the said pressure head.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a resilient seal member inserted in the hose at the for the purpose of sealing the annular joint between the mandrel and the hose whereby to cause hydraulic pressure applied through the said pressure head to eject the mandrel from the hose.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view through the resilient seal member preferably employed.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like numerals refer to like and correspondin parts throughout the several views, the improved method of removing flexible hose from a mandrel over which it is manufactured and vulcanized or cured is disclosed in connection with certain apparatus shown for illustrative purposes only,

it being understood that other apparatus of a a like and similar nature may be employed to carry out the particular method steps.

In Fig. 1, a flexible rubber hose I reinforced with a fabric I I is shown disposed over a mandrel I2 over which the said hose has been manufactured and vulcanized or cured. The mandrel I2 has a short stub end I20 which is shouldered 'at I3. and provided with a threaded end I4 which is threadable into the complementary internally threaded end I5 of the said mandrel I2. The outer end of the mandrel I2 and the outer-end of the stub end I thereof are preferably pro-' vided with suitable wrench grips I6 and I 1 respectively to facilitate the coupling and uncoupling of the stub end I20 of the mandrel I2 to and from the said mandrel I2. Although the said mandrel I2 is shown of solid construction, it may be made tubular between the ends thereof to save material and weight which is particularly desirable and necessary when long and large diameter hoses are manufactured thereover.

After the manufacture of the hose I0 over the mandrel I2 has been completed, the first step is to remove the stub end I20 of the mandrel I2 therefrom as indicated in Fig. 2. This may be readily accomplished manually, because of the shortness of length of the stub end I20, by simply unscrewing the stub end by the application of a wrench to the wrench grip H. The turning of the stub end in such case serves to break it free from the hose and the unscrewing forces the stub end axially outwardly so that the end of the hose from whence the stub shaft end of the mandrel adjacent the pressure head it can' be grasped and pulled out as soon as the I2 is released; The end I00 of the hose I II is then telescoped over the peripherally grooved end I8 of a pressure head I! and clamped there on by a suitable hose clamp 20 as shown in Fig. 3. Hydraulic pressure is then applied through the pressure head I9 which breaks the hose III away from the mandrel I2 as indicated in Fig. 3.

The hydraulic pressure is then shut off, the hose clamp 20 is released, and the pressure head I9 is removed from the end I III) of the hose III. A resilient seal 2 I preferably composed of an annular resilient rubber or leather cup 22 formed over the flanged shank 23 of a bolt 24 is inserted in the end I00 of the hose I0, and the bolt 24 is threaded into the internally threaded end I5 of the mandrel I2 preferably using a key type french which engages the socket head'25 of the said bolt 24. The annular lip 26 of the said resilient leather or rubber cup 22 are preferably brought substantially to a feather edge to permit the cup to expand and form a piston when hydraulic pressure is applied thereto through the pressure head l9. which is re-clamped onto the end I of the said hose I!) after the said resilient seal 2| is placed on the inner end of the said mandrel I2.

After having first hydraulically broken the hose I0 away from the mandrel l2, and with the pressure cup 2! in place, hydraulic pressure applied through the pressure head 19 removes the mandrel l2 from the hose l0. Particles of water or other fluid employed as the hydraulic medium to break the hose Iii away from the mandrel I2 by hydraulic pressure remain between the hose l0 and the mandrel i2 upon the release of hydraulic pressure after the said breaking of the hose It away from the mandrel l2 and serve as a lubricant or the like to admit of the mandrel l2 being removed from the said hose it by hydraulic pressure working against the seal 2| inserted in the end Hill of the hose Iii against the inner end of the said mandrel.

Although but a single illustrative example of the application of the method steps embodying the invention has been disclosed herein, in is obvious that many variations -may be made in the method steps employed and apparatus used to remove flexible hose from the mandrel over which it has been manufactured, vulcanized or cured, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In the manufacture of rubber hose by the use of a mandrel having a stub end, of relatively short length as compared to the length of the mandrel, removably secured thereto, the steps of'formingsaid hose over said mandrel and said stub end, removing said stub end from said mandrel and the hose surrounding it, subjecting the interior of said hose at that end thereof from which said stub end has been removed to fluid pressure of sui'ficient intensity to break said hose aeeneac loose from said mandrel, then relieving said pressure and inserting a member within said end of said hose eflective to seal said hose against the escape of pressure between its bore and said mandrel, and then re-applyln fluid pressue to said end of said hose in sumcient force to cause said member to eject said mandrel from said hose.

2. 1n the manufacture of rubber hose by means of an elongated mandrel havin a relatively short stub and removably secured thereto, the steps of forming said hose about said mandrel and said stub end, removing said stub end from said hose and mandrel, applying hydraulic pressure to the interior of that end of said hose from which said stub end has been removed whereby to cause said hose to be broken from said mandrel and to efiect a lubrication of the cooperating sur= faces between said hose and mandrel, then sealing that end of said mandrel from which said stub end has been removed with respect to the bore of said hose, and then applying fluid pressure interiorly to said end of said hose in sumcient force to cause ejection of said mandrel from said hose.

3. In the manufacture of rubber hose on a relatively elongated mandrel having a relatively short stub and screw threaded thereon, the steps of forming said hose about said mandrel and said stub end, unscrewing said stub end from said mandrel and removing it from the corresponding end of said hose, applying fluid pressure interiorly to said corresponding end of said hose whereby to cause said hose to be broken from said mandrel, then relieving said pressure and sealing the end of said mandrel at said correspondin end of said hose against leakage of pressure between it and the bore of said hose,

and then applying pressure interiorly to said corresponding end in sumcient force to force axial separation of said hose and mandrel.

CHARLES W. GREENE. 

